We’ve been very busy the last few weeks, and can happily say the roof and guttering is now 100% complete (repair of Bob’s damage done too). I’ve painted the outside brickwork too – it was originally a bright white but I preferred a warmer shade so opted for a cream, we are now stripping the paint from all the doorframes and the doors ready to paint those too.
The big decision though – what colour should the doors be? At the moment, they are a dark greyish/black/blue shade, and the main door a bright green (so anything would look better than this!) however, I am torn between a dark or bright blue, emerald green and then the wild card of a maroon/purple! Will have to see what looks good in the shop.
I am overjoyed to see the local riding club put out a notification that things are starting back up 😊 I have been a bit apprehensive going out now and wanted to keep it local until we get our bearings and confidence. We haven’t done much jumping yet as I’m waiting for my arena, (9 weeks to go!) so will be looking at showing/dressage/pleasure rides to start with!
I have just signed myself and Autumn up for a fitness clinic on Sunday so really looking forward to it and meeting some new horsey pals 😊, the riding club are also hosting a pleasure ride in August and some lovely ladies have invited Autumn and I to join them for it which I cannot wait for!
Aria is doing well with her physio exercises, I’ve been making sure she strides out when walking and going through countless bags of carrots for the stretches…only been nipped twice so that’s an improvement! We’ve almost finished the 2nd weeks’ worth of exercises, so will be doing the longer ones come mid-week! It’s quite useful as I can use the stretches for Autumn and Bob as well to help them 😊 She has her check-up not long away, so I will be excited to see if there’s been a difference with all the work, we are putting in.
I’m currently trying Autumn in a new bit I bought at a saddlery sale, its similar to her other one but has a copper roller as I’ve noticed she’s not a fan of the link in her snaffle. I’ve ridden her in it a few times now and she’s a lot softer, more responsive and generally happier with it which is a great positive.
I also get to tell my partner that it was worth going to the sale to buy it…..amongst all the other items we ‘had’ to buy!!! 😉. I hope you are all having fun with your equine pals, stay safe!
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.